What are implied warranties under California law?

Two kinds of warranties are implied by law. These implied warranties, when present, create buyer's rights and seller/manufacturer obligations in addition to those under any express warranty.

An implied warranty of merchantability (general fitness) is an implied promise that the product is fit for the ordinary purposes for which it is used (i.e., "This car is fit for passenger transportation.") This implied warranty is present in sales of most new and used products by merchants (not private sale). Under the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, this warranty is present in all sales of new consumer goods and those sales of used goods which come with a written express warranty.

An implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is an implied promise that the product is fit for the particular purpose of the buyer (i.e., "This paint will adhere to the sample surface you provided.").